cannabisnews.com: America's Never-Ending Prohibition
America's Never-Ending Prohibition
Posted by CN Staff on August 06, 2008 at 10:04:36 PT
By Bernd Debusmann
Source: Reuters
Washington, DC -- America's alcohol prohibition lasted 13 years, filled the country's prisons, inspired contempt for the law among millions, bred corruption and produced Al Capone. What it did not do was keep Americans from drinking.America's marijuana prohibition drew into its 72nd year this month. It has created a huge underground industry catering to users, helped the U.S. prison population balloon into the world's largest, and diverted the resources of American law enforcement. What it has not done is keep Americans from using marijuana.
On the contrary. Since 1937, the year marijuana was outlawed, its use in the United States has gone up by 4,000 percent, according to the Marijuana Policy Project, a Washington-based lobby group which advocates regulating the drug similar to alcohol. A recent World Health Organization study of marijuana use in 17 countries placed Americans at the top of the list.The 1920-1933 prohibition on the sale, production and transportation of alcohol is now seen as a dismal failure of social engineering. Will the prohibition on marijuana ever be seen in a similar light?For the first time in a generation, there is a bill before Congress that would eliminate federal penalties "for the personal use of marijuana by responsible adults." But not even the congressman who introduced the bill, Democrat Barney Frank, sees bright prospects for swift passage.The last time the U.S. Congress dealt with legislation that would have decriminalized marijuana was in 1978, when a bill introduced by Senator Edward Kennedy was passed by the Senate but never got to a vote in the House.The case for legalizing marijuana, the most widely used drug after alcohol and tobacco, rests on several planks - the most obvious being that prohibition simply hasn't worked despite extraordinarily labor-intensive and costly government efforts. In 2006, the last year for which figures from the Federal Bureau of Investigation are available, 830,000 Americans were arrested on marijuana charges, most of them for possession rather than trafficking.That works out at a marijuana arrest every 38 seconds. A study last year estimated the cost of these arrests at $10.7 billion."This is an enormous waste of law enforcement resources that should be focused on violent and serious crime," says Allen St. Pierre, who heads the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), the marijuana smokers' lobby in Washington. No Distinction Between Use And Abuse "With alcohol we acknowledge the distinction between use and abuse, and we focus our law enforcement on efforts to stop irresponsible use. We do not arrest or jail responsible drinkers. That should be our policy for marijuana as well."The Bush administration's drug czar, John Walters, will have none of this. He talks about marijuana in terms reminiscent of the apocalyptic warnings issued by Harry Anslinger, the first head of the Bureau of Narcotics in the 1930s and a driving force behind the 1937 marijuana prohibition.Anslinger deemed marijuana "an addictive drug which induces in its users insanity, criminality and death." Walters often takes issue with "the perception that marijuana is about fun and freedom. It isn't. It's about dependency, disease and dysfunction."(For a vivid portrayal of the dysfunction Walters warns about, see a mock documentary produced for the White House Office of National Drug Policy. It is entitled Stoners in the Mist, a play on the 1988 film on mountain gorillas in the Congo. here) http://www.abovetheinfluence.com/stoners/Americans who have admitted smoking marijuana at one point or another but escaped dependency, disease and dysfunction include President George W. Bush, Supreme Court Judge Clarence Thomas, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Senator John Kerry, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, former Vice President Al Gore and Barack Obama, the Democratic nominee for next November's presidential election.Former President Bill Clinton falls into a special category. When he studied in England, away from the long reach of U.S. law, he experimented with marijuana "a time or two," he once told a television interviewer. "I didn't inhale and I didn't try again."Hollywood, conscious of a mass audience that does inhale, has produced a slew of new "stoner" movies this year. The pot-smoking protagonists include an investment banker and a medical student (Harold & Kumar), a psychiatrist (The Wackness), and a process server (Pineapple Express).But sympathetic portrayals of marijuana use in popular culture do not necessarily translate into faster progress towards legalization. Government anti-drug fighters are serious in their opposition.When Barney Frank, at a news conference to explain the rationale for his bill, was asked what timeline he had in mind, he quipped: "Not soon ... but eventually, you'll see the development of a marijuana futures market." David Murray, the chief scientist in the drug czar's office who had listened to the briefing, was not amused. "It's not funny," he said, "not funny at all."But not impossible either, in the long run.Editing by Sean MaguireSource: Reuters (Wire)Author: Bernd DebusmannPublished: August 6, 2008Copyright: 2008 Thomson ReutersCannabisNews -- Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml
Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help
Comment #21 posted by ezrydn on August 26, 2008 at 11:45:28 PT
The "Before" Days
There was a time, before any sort of Prohibition, that items like cannabis, cocaine and heroin extracts could easily and legally be purchased from any pharmacy in the US. It wasn't looked upon as some "demon" concoction. No, society decided to "demonize" these items because "it sounded good." One also has to remember that Alcohol Prohibition was based on "demonizing" alcohol, too, but we got over that one.At the same time, we had no addict problems that were unsolvable. There were no government-empowered cartels killing each other or those around them. While there may have been a gang problem in some areas, it wasn't based on any illegal drug trades.Prohibition of Some Drugs have split the US down the center. It's given rise to violence and destruction of many human rights. Our government tells us today that our own bodies are no longer "soverign" to ourselves. In creating a "Drug War," the US government gave away control and regulation to the seedier side and then got upset about it. What did they expect? All the wasted dollars and lives that have come from the War on Drugs lay at the feet of the Prohibitionists who decided to "demonize" certain plants which, by all indicators, do, indeed, have some medical qualities and usages. They're dismayed that some enjoy the effects of those plants.So, as the economy continues it's downward spiral and government spending spirals out of sight, not one government official will entertain the idea of reclaiming control through legalization and regulation. More money down the same hole WILL NOT produce a different outcome! Never has and never will. In one day, and without firing a single bullet, the US could suck the bucks out of every cartel on the planet, if it truly wanted to stop this stupidity. Yet, Congress shows no signs of enlightened logic. The dice are loaded, but they continue to throw them anyway. Ask yourselves, how many schools, bridges, levees, et al, could be built with the ONE TRILLION WASTED DOLLARS? Am I the only one that understands "cost v. benefit?"
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #20 posted by user123 on August 09, 2008 at 11:44:47 PT:
Blind & Cannot See
A threat to my paycheck........ "It's not funny," he said, "not funny at all."
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #19 posted by FoM on August 09, 2008 at 05:47:46 PT
afterburner
Have fun. There is nothing like live music.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #18 posted by afterburner on August 08, 2008 at 21:11:00 PT
FoM
I just got back from Steve Earle live at the Festival of Friends. I had to work, so I heard only the last song (which I didn't know) and the encore (which I did) -- Copperhead Road! I got to hear it live. I'm glad I made the effort ot go to Gage Park after work.Saturday is Air Supply and others.Sunday is a mini-Woodstock with headliners Country Joe McDonald, John Sebastian, and Canned Heat. I have to work again, but I may catch part of it.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #17 posted by museman on August 08, 2008 at 11:46:52 PT
dis-ease and dysfunction
"Americans who have admitted smoking marijuana at one point or another but escaped dependency, disease and dysfunction include President George W. Bush, Supreme Court Judge Clarence Thomas, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Senator John Kerry, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich,...."They may have 'escaped' the kind of 'dysfunction' related by stupid humans in the prohibtion racket, to cannabis smokers, but I wouldn't say they qualified as having anything other than dis-ease, dependency, and dysfunctionality resulting in global disaster. Their dis-ease at being rabid servants of the ultra rich, is putrid, ugly, and contageous to the weak-spirited. Their dependency on failed systems of master-slave relationships -called the 'status quo' is a freudian nightmare of insidious proportion. And their dysfunction is as obvious as the smoke on the horizon, and the carbon floating around in the air.Lets all watch the Olympics and ignore the suffering of millions so that China can look good on TV.After that, lets go get another case of brain-damage and drink to the health of some imaginary being (called 'human') that used to live on an organic planet, somewhere in this solar system.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #16 posted by FoM on August 08, 2008 at 09:11:56 PT
A Little Humor
I have a new definition of Freedom. Here goes.Freedom is having a WORKING high speed connection. LOL!That's all. Have a great weekend everyone. It's beautiful here today. It's in the 70s, sunny, clear skies and a wonderful breeze.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #15 posted by FoM on August 08, 2008 at 09:07:23 PT
Just a Note
I haven't found any news to post so far today. I wanted to mention I'm having data card or tower issues and having a hard time getting around the Net. If I miss something important I hope others will post a link. Maybe it will be fixed today.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #14 posted by Hope on August 08, 2008 at 08:00:29 PT
Sholley
"We have so many important and serious issues to discuss in this country and Barney Frank seems to have time to discuss something that no one cares about,"Aaargh.Wake up!!! A lot of people care... very much. It's NOT the marijuana.... it's what you prohibitionists do to people in the name of your frenzied addiction to hatred of a plant and the people who use it. It's very important!!! You have to be stopped!!!
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #13 posted by FoM on August 08, 2008 at 06:39:44 PT
Sholley Blasts Frank for Pot Bill
By Jeremy P. JacobsAugust 7, 2008 The Republican challenging U.S. Rep. Barney Frank this year sharply criticized the congressman on Thursday for sponsoring legislation that would decriminalize possessing a small amount of marijuana, saying that Frank has "become part of the problem" in Washington.URL: http://www.politickerma.com/jeremyjacobs/614/sholley-blasts-frank-pot-bill
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #12 posted by Hope on August 07, 2008 at 20:08:28 PT
I didn't want to be no outlaw.
I just wanted me a good night's sleep.I wanted easing of the pain...And a stronger way of looking at things than I had at first.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #11 posted by Hope on August 07, 2008 at 20:05:34 PT
Afterburner
"Cannabis patients and providers are not hobos nor tramps, of course.."Outlaws?
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #10 posted by FoM on August 07, 2008 at 09:46:49 PT
Related Article From WOWK-TV
Proposal To Take Away Federal Penalties For Marijuana Possession Getting Mixed Reviews Wednesday, August 6, 2008 Watch Story Video
http://wowktv.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=42250H.R. 5843 would get rid of federal penalties for marijuana possession of less than 100 grams. Story by Gil McClanahanWinfield -- Federal penalties for having less than a hundred grams of marijuana may one day be a thing of the past. A proposed federal law would also take away federal penalties for selling less than an ounce of marijuana and not making a profit. "I don't understand how it could help us, because it's watering down what we currently have, and I don't think we need to water down any laws we have on the books now," says Putnam County Sheriff Mark Smith. He believes the bill would open a can of worms in the War on Drugs with abuses to the systems along with numerous problems for law enforcement. "Morality of legalizing it is a tough one. I think it's a tough question," says Jeff Holmes of Hurricane. "To me it's personal use for your home. Nobody has the right to take that away from you," says Sandy Ferguson of Scott Depot. Experts say 100 grams of marijuana has a street value of anywhere from $600 to $800 dollars. "Marijuana is against the law. Just the way I look at it and how I feel about it. The penalties should be there," says Becky Brogan of Hurricane. Sheriff Smith says if he can't charge a drug suspect federally, the person will instead face state charges. The proposed bill would not change state charges. Congressman Barney Frank of Massachusetts is sponsoring the legislation. A spokesperson says they don't expect it to pass this year so they intend on re-introducing the bill next year. Copyright 2008 West Virginia Media
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #9 posted by afterburner on August 06, 2008 at 19:15:32 PT
E_Johnson #3
Maybe we should adopt Emmett Kelly, the sad-faced clown, as our mascot. He was able to bring compassion to the clown world. {
Emmett Leo Kelly (December 9, 1898 – March 28, 1979), a native of Sedan, Kansas, was an American circus performer, who created the memorable clown figure "Weary Willie," based on the hobos of the Depression era. ...Career developmentHe started working as a clown full-time in 1931, and it was only after years of attempting to persuade the management that he was able to switch from a white face clown to the hobo clown that he had sketched ten years earlier while working at an art firm. "Weary Willie" was a tragic figure: a clown, who could usually be seen sweeping up the circus rings after the other performers. He tried but failed to sweep up the pool of light of a spotlight. His routine was revolutionary at the time: traditionally, clowns wore white face and performed slapstick stunts intended to make people laugh. Kelly did perform stunts too—one of his most famous acts was trying to crack a peanut with a sledgehammer—but as a tramp, he also appealed to the sympathy of his audience. ...Kelly is depicted in a famous photograph, still in full clown make-up and costume, trying to extinguish the flames of the devastating Hartford Circus Fire that struck the Circus on July 6, 1944, and killed 167 people during the afternoon performance in Hartford, Connecticut, according to eyewitnesses, it was one of few times in which he was seen crying.
}
Emmett Kelly - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emmett_KellyCannabis patients and providers are not hobos nor tramps, of course. However, if the hearts of the press, the media and the movie makers were truly touched by the tragedies of persecuted providers, it would be harder to laugh at cannabis patients and their providers.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #8 posted by potpal on August 06, 2008 at 16:15:04 PT
cannabis filled episode of the daily show
Check out the interview...
http://www.hulu.com/watch/29469/the-daily-show-with-jon-stewart-tue-aug-5-2008
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #7 posted by rchandar on August 06, 2008 at 11:58:41 PT:
And...
...let's take the Hollywood mullahs up a notch, and strike back at the conspiracy-heavy "Traffic". Let's do a film where the DEA and numerous anti-drug officials are brought up on war crimes charges. A kind of "everyman" film where a repentent Drug Warrior is brought to justice, and every plaintiff is a victim of the Drug War. They will recite the history, state their views and beliefs, and present the injustice of it all. Like an ongoing trial that can only lead to their conviction.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #6 posted by rchandar on August 06, 2008 at 11:54:38 PT:
Your Comment
E Johnson, I think there should be an effort to produce a film that examines and demonstrates how smoking pot produces visions, religious awareness, reflection. According to most of the films, all we are is "wack"--there's Harold and Kumar, and then there are also films like "Friday." A serious film that undertakes a human being's sense of philosophical mission would be a plus: we should move beyond the "Cheech & Chong" format which inadequately describes this pastime.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #5 posted by E_Johnson on August 06, 2008 at 10:39:49 PT
What could be a beautiful drama
A medpot provider in prison. There's a lot of dramatic potential there. Courage under fire. A heartfelt and morally inspiring drama about a group of people who accept the possibility of a lengthy prison term as the cost of openly disobeying an unjust and scientifically unsound law.Medpot providers are the new Christian martyrs. I do not have as much courage as these people have. I cannot even enter a federal courtroom without crying.These people deserve to be elevated by art. These stories have human drama. This is the the best of human drama when a small group of people is struggling to overcome bullying and oppression by a bigger, more powerful group.The problem is, we need to take ourselves more seriously.We have heroes in this movement and I think stoner comedies defile their heroism.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #4 posted by Sam Adams on August 06, 2008 at 10:32:13 PT
movies
I always figured there was no way to stop the stoner comedy phenomenon, so I never thought about that much. But you're definitely right that we need something like "Traffic" just for cannabis. Weeds and American Beauty were close.But usually the movies are like "Traffic" and feature someone's daughter having sex with a black man for heroin.To be fair, a lot of movies have people getting drunk & then doing horrible things, and you don't see that for MJ, so there is at least a small dose of realism in Hollywood.I never thought I'd see this article from Reuters!
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #3 posted by E_Johnson on August 06, 2008 at 10:25:17 PT
Why is it our job to make people laugh?
WE need to start making movies that make people cry instead of laugh.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #2 posted by E_Johnson on August 06, 2008 at 10:22:00 PT
Who says stoner movies are sympathetic?
Comedians have been exploiting this movement and turning it into a nicely profitable joke for years.I say it's time for this to stop. It's time for people to start writing marijuana dramas. Forget the comedies. There's nothing funny about what happened to Charles Lynch. That was a tragedy, not a comedy.I think we should boycott stoner comedies in the name of all the medical marijuana providers now in prison.Look at Salon. Go to Salon and see what stoner comedies do to us there.Salon does not publish any serious news stories on marijuana as medicine, on trials, on Supreme Court decisions, on the science -- nothing serious.They even refused to say where any candidates stand on medical marijuana. They won't even describe it as an issue. Medical marijuana not a legitimate political issue to the editors of Salon.NO -- all they do is write flippant, pathetically pseudo-hipster reviews of stoner comedies.And their reviews of stoner comedies make us all look like developmentally delayed morons.That's where stoner comedies have gotten us.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #1 posted by FoM on August 06, 2008 at 10:08:02 PT
Just a Comment
I like this article. Excerpt: When Barney Frank, at a news conference to explain the rationale for his bill, was asked what timeline he had in mind, he quipped: "Not soon ... but eventually, you'll see the development of a marijuana futures market." David Murray, the chief scientist in the drug czar's office who had listened to the briefing, was not amused. "It's not funny," he said, "not funny at all."But not impossible either, in the long run.
[ Post Comment ]
Post Comment